1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
This play is set in New York in an apartment on the upper east side of Manhattan. The characters involved are Amir and his wife Emily, Amir's nephew Abe, and another couple Jory and Isaac. The play is set in year 2011-2012 and it spans over the course of time so it starts in the late summer season and the main action is in the fall and the end scene is in the spring. Amir is a wealthy lawyer and his wife emily is a painter. They live a happy life and seem to be very much in love. As the play unravels we see that Emily puts a lot of stock in the Muslim faith and exoticizes her husband.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion begins as a snowball effect. It starts by an uncomfortable conversation is post 9/11 America about Islam. We have a dinner party that has a white American woman (Emily), a Muslim American man (Amir), an African American woman (Jory), and a White Jewish American man (Isaac). They argue over Islam and you can feel the tension set. Amir disagrees with the other characters opinions about Islam and tries to back up his reasoning for why. Lots of things come to light and through the tension many new character aspects are revealed. Then we find out that Emily actually cheated on her husband with Isaac and it becomes increasingly clear that Emily is not participating in Cultural Inspiration but in cultural appropriation. This dinner party leads to the destruction of all the characters present. It reshapes their identity personally and their assumed identity within American values.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor here is that though Amir is a Muslim American he is also an apostate. He has renounced his religion and does not consider it a main part of his outward identity anymore. Though this is true it still is pushed upon him by his wife. So though this conversation on his supposed religion eventually destroys him he does not even identify with it.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question that should be answered is will Amir's voice get heard? Will he and Emily sort out their issues. Will the characters learn from their character flaws? Each character has obvious character flaws that they show in the play.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
1. Something one character knows: This would be that Emily is exoticizing her husband. She knows deep down she is and that he is vital for her self chosen identity of white artist married to a muslim american man. If he does not participate in certain activities like helping Abe, giving legal services for another muslim, etc she feels like her chosen identity is threatened. This identity that fuels her cultural appropriation in her artwork.
2. Something that most characters know: That Emily and Isaac are sleeping together. There is four of them at the time so half of them knew so I think it can go into this category. I think this is important for the play because Isaac confesses his love to Emily as well. This fact cheapens Emily and Amir's love and relationship as well. It is also an important conversation piece for cultural appropriation because it is so symbolic. This man who is a minority has come so far and is living the American Dream. He marries a white blonde woman. The stereotype for whiteness. It seems like he has made it and then it is found out she is sleeping with a married white man. It is like he is immediately transferred back to his position as "Below" on the scale. Emily cannot see how her actions directly impact s many and yet they do. She has used Amir for identity confirmation, money, love, support, artistic expression, artistic support etc. and once it has run its course with him she does not think for a second when she runs off with another man.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment of the play is when all the characters are honest with one another and exhibit parts of their personality in the explosion of the dinner party. It signifies the end for most of the characters ways of life at this point. It changes the direction of the play. We have a different understand of everyone al this point.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Race, Religion, Family, Cultural appropriation, art, history, race relations, etc.
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Amir wants many different things. I am not sure if he is exactly sure of one thing he wants specifically. He wants his wife and his promotion. He also wants people to understand more about Islam and the ways he has experienced it. Some obstacles are the contorted views that people he meets have about his religion. He has separated himself from Islam because he does not agree with its practices but people continue to associate him with it anyways. I think he would like that separation for himself.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The title of the play comes from a comment Amir's nephew tells him about western culture opinions on people of Islamic faith. He states that "They disgrace us" I think this is monumental for this piece of writing because though he has separated himself from Islam he is still associated with it. He has done everything in his power to not be considered muslim but he still falls victim to what his nephew states. He becomes disgraced by losing it all over one theatrical moment centered around conversations on Islam. Some more themes would be the painting of the slave by emily, The all jewish law firm, etc.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
In the play we have the blood family relationship of Amir and his nephew Abe (Hussein). We also have the marriage between Amir and Emily, Jory and Isaac. We also have the infidelity of Isaac and Emily. We also have the family relationship of Hussein to other people of Islamic faith. His friends in jail etc.
Note: Overall wonderful play. It was enticing and interesting. I am making my boyfriend read it now. I think works like this are VITAL fo conversations on race, religion, and identity. This is so important!!
This play is set in New York in an apartment on the upper east side of Manhattan. The characters involved are Amir and his wife Emily, Amir's nephew Abe, and another couple Jory and Isaac. The play is set in year 2011-2012 and it spans over the course of time so it starts in the late summer season and the main action is in the fall and the end scene is in the spring. Amir is a wealthy lawyer and his wife emily is a painter. They live a happy life and seem to be very much in love. As the play unravels we see that Emily puts a lot of stock in the Muslim faith and exoticizes her husband.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion begins as a snowball effect. It starts by an uncomfortable conversation is post 9/11 America about Islam. We have a dinner party that has a white American woman (Emily), a Muslim American man (Amir), an African American woman (Jory), and a White Jewish American man (Isaac). They argue over Islam and you can feel the tension set. Amir disagrees with the other characters opinions about Islam and tries to back up his reasoning for why. Lots of things come to light and through the tension many new character aspects are revealed. Then we find out that Emily actually cheated on her husband with Isaac and it becomes increasingly clear that Emily is not participating in Cultural Inspiration but in cultural appropriation. This dinner party leads to the destruction of all the characters present. It reshapes their identity personally and their assumed identity within American values.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor here is that though Amir is a Muslim American he is also an apostate. He has renounced his religion and does not consider it a main part of his outward identity anymore. Though this is true it still is pushed upon him by his wife. So though this conversation on his supposed religion eventually destroys him he does not even identify with it.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question that should be answered is will Amir's voice get heard? Will he and Emily sort out their issues. Will the characters learn from their character flaws? Each character has obvious character flaws that they show in the play.
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
1. Something one character knows: This would be that Emily is exoticizing her husband. She knows deep down she is and that he is vital for her self chosen identity of white artist married to a muslim american man. If he does not participate in certain activities like helping Abe, giving legal services for another muslim, etc she feels like her chosen identity is threatened. This identity that fuels her cultural appropriation in her artwork.
2. Something that most characters know: That Emily and Isaac are sleeping together. There is four of them at the time so half of them knew so I think it can go into this category. I think this is important for the play because Isaac confesses his love to Emily as well. This fact cheapens Emily and Amir's love and relationship as well. It is also an important conversation piece for cultural appropriation because it is so symbolic. This man who is a minority has come so far and is living the American Dream. He marries a white blonde woman. The stereotype for whiteness. It seems like he has made it and then it is found out she is sleeping with a married white man. It is like he is immediately transferred back to his position as "Below" on the scale. Emily cannot see how her actions directly impact s many and yet they do. She has used Amir for identity confirmation, money, love, support, artistic expression, artistic support etc. and once it has run its course with him she does not think for a second when she runs off with another man.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment of the play is when all the characters are honest with one another and exhibit parts of their personality in the explosion of the dinner party. It signifies the end for most of the characters ways of life at this point. It changes the direction of the play. We have a different understand of everyone al this point.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Race, Religion, Family, Cultural appropriation, art, history, race relations, etc.
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Amir wants many different things. I am not sure if he is exactly sure of one thing he wants specifically. He wants his wife and his promotion. He also wants people to understand more about Islam and the ways he has experienced it. Some obstacles are the contorted views that people he meets have about his religion. He has separated himself from Islam because he does not agree with its practices but people continue to associate him with it anyways. I think he would like that separation for himself.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The title of the play comes from a comment Amir's nephew tells him about western culture opinions on people of Islamic faith. He states that "They disgrace us" I think this is monumental for this piece of writing because though he has separated himself from Islam he is still associated with it. He has done everything in his power to not be considered muslim but he still falls victim to what his nephew states. He becomes disgraced by losing it all over one theatrical moment centered around conversations on Islam. Some more themes would be the painting of the slave by emily, The all jewish law firm, etc.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
In the play we have the blood family relationship of Amir and his nephew Abe (Hussein).
We also have the marriage between Amir and Emily, Jory and Isaac.
We also have the infidelity of Isaac and Emily.
We also have the family relationship of Hussein to other people of Islamic faith. His friends in jail etc.
Note: Overall wonderful play. It was enticing and interesting. I am making my boyfriend read it now. I think works like this are VITAL fo conversations on race, religion, and identity. This is so important!!